Orlando City at Atlanta United: Three Keys to Victory

After a normal week between matches, Orlando City heads to the plastic-ridden field of Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face Eastern Conference rival Atlanta United this Saturday night. The Lions will be looking to return to their winning ways following a disappointing performance against Real Salt Lake in Utah.

What does Orlando City need to do to regain its form and earn all three points on the road?

Deal with Almada

On top of his eight goals so far this season, Thiago Almada is leading the league with 10 assists. That type of goal contribution production must be accounted for, and it will be up to Cesar Araujo and Wilder Cartagena to do so. Almada is the key to Atlanta’s offense, and as such, shutting him down is the key to limiting Atlanta’s scoring opportunities.

Of course, even if Almada doesn’t score or provide an assist personally, that doesn’t mean he isn’t pulling the strings to get others opportunities. The Argentinian is one of the best players in MLS. Fortunately, Araujo has a good track record of dealing with the best in the league in the defensive midfield. How well he and the back line defend against Almada’s passes and his ability to link up Atlanta’s offense may decide the match.

Take Advantage of Tired Legs

Unlike last weekend, Orlando City will have the advantage when it comes to how rested the players are at the start of the match. Atlanta played a midweek away match against the New England Revolution. Meanwhile, the Lions only have to travel to Georgia on a full week of rest. 

If Orlando City can hold possession and make the hosts chase the ball, Atlanta might start to flag in the second half. Even better, if the Lions can score an early goal — I’m looking at you, Duncan McGuire — Atlanta will have no choice but to chase the match. Atlanta’s loss to the New York Red Bulls showed that pressing is an effective strategy to employ against Atlanta. Oscar Pareja’s men are perfectly capable of doing something similar this match.

Shore Up Set Piece Defense

The first two goals Orlando City gave up against Real Salt Lake came on poorly defended set pieces. I don’t want to bring up Almada again, but he is pretty good at taking free kicks. Brooks Lennon’s goal against CF Montreal was an easy tap in off Almada’s attempt that bounced off the post and right to Lennon’s feet. The best scenario is to not allow Atlanta to have any set pieces, but that’s probably a bit unrealistic.

Last week’s poor defending could be chalked up to playing three matches in eight days, traveling across the country, and the altitude, but that won’t be the case this Saturday. The Lions will need to do much better on free kicks and corner kicks against Atlanta than they did against RSL. That means players need to know what their assignment is on these plays and, ultimately, to execute it.

That is what I’ll be looking for this Saturday night as the Lions take on Atlanta United. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.